Welcome to Week Three! Can you believe we’re at the halfway mark for the challenge?
You all did so well with your stories last week! There were so many interesting and unique ways you interpreted the prompt. It’s now the third week, so it’s time to do it again! Will your story have aliens? Zombies? Maybe it’ll have a dragon in it! Whatever you decide, we can’t wait to see what you come up with.
So, without further ado, here’s your next prompt!
Week Three Prompt – The Starting Sentence Prompt
Write a story that starts with the
following sentence: So this is what drowning feels like.
Wait…what’s a “Starting Sentence” prompt?
A sentence prompt is a prompt that uses a particular sentence. It doesn’t matter where your story takes place, who’s in it, or what’s said. The only thing that matters is that your story must start with this sentence: So this is what drowning feels like.
Before you start writing, we have some important rules for you to follow.
Writing Rules
1. Please keep the content of the stories you post to a PG rating. Please avoid real curse words. Violence/fighting should be limited and purposeful. Please do not include any spice.
2. Your story must be 1,000 words or less, and must contain the prompt to be counted for the challenge. You’re not required to post it in order to “win” the challenge, but if you want it to count for your team, your story must be posted by Sunday at 11:59 PM ET, and you must include your team name.
Remember to scroll all the way to the bottom of the page and post your story as an “answer” to this question, not a “comment”. 🙂 You’re all doing such a great job! I’m so proud of all the stories you’ve posted.
Happy Writing!
Will you notice if someone is like 1-25 words over the 1000 word limit (asking for a friend hahaha)
what if i accidently posted my story as a comment last week lol? does it still count?
Hey Izzy and Ava,
If you accidentally post your story as a comment instead of an answer, you should get an email to alert you! It will still count for points for your team, but no one will be able to vote for it.
And, to answer your question for your friend 😉 As far as word count, for your story to count for the challenge, it does need to be 1,000 words or under. Great questions!
Content warnings: mental and physical trauma
Team A (Herbert)
Should I stay or should I go?
By Camila Justice
So this is what drowning feels like.
Empty.
Bare.
Vulnerable.
My arms are scarred from the torture that I underwent while trapped in that wrecked embrace. My heart is no longer four connected chambers. Every curl I thought was gorgeous, mutilated. Every bit of hope I had clung to, gone.
All because of him and what he made me do.
The wall has memorized the feel of my back sliding down it.
Down.
Down.
Down.
Like I’m drowning in my own misery.
…maybe I am.
Instead of oxygen, the air is full of regret. I should have never picked up the post-it note with those 10 digits spelled out in messy handwriting.
Lizzie.
Lizzie.
Lizard.
What a snake he was. And I, his lizard.
Am I guilty for what happened to those innocent people who felt his wrath? Am I responsible for the destruction of dozens of families? Was it I who severed bonds with my own bare hands?
I know the answer is no.
But why does it feel like it’s a yes?
I almost have enough to change my name. It’s been hard to find consistent employment where I won’t have to venture outside, but I’m just a few shifts away.
After the duty is done, I’ll be safe. After this one last tie to him is gone, I won’t have to run anymore.
I sigh happily, burying my hands into my pockets. I used to do the same to my hair. I pace erratically on the lawn, awaiting my employer. It is half-past noon now, although she said she would arrive in the morning.
This feels like a trap.
Should I stay or should I go?
Before I can decide, a swag mustang pulls up to the driveway. In a flash, the driver is out and ambling over to me.
Only, this isn’t the body of a woman.
No…
It’s him.
I’m sure of it.
Should I stay or should I go?
This feels like a trap.
It feels like I’m drowning.
It feels like his hands are around my shoulders and he’s whispering the words I never wanted to hear again: “I need you to do one more thing for me.”
Nice! i could feel the menace and the despair in the situation. Also, I appreciated your use of spacing and text to give that feel of sinking.
Wait so if we like accidentally post our stories as a comment here, will it count or be ignored?